(Missouri Independent) – As the state of Missouri battles its second year of the novel coronavirus’ spread, lawmakers on Wednesday sent to the governor’s desk a bill that aims to rein in local public health orders and ban vaccine passports. The provisions were included in House Bill 271, which deals with local government transparency. It grew […]
Tag: official
Annualization of salaries within the school district tops discussion at Trenton R-9 Board of Education meeting
The Trenton R-9 Board of Education on Tuesday, May 11, discussed non-certified payroll annualization with district Bookkeeper Mona Loyd and Administrative Assistant Susan Leeper. Loyd started by saying she had been willing to try annualization at the time the board originally voted to implement it for non-certified staff. She did not have the forethought to […]
Missouri State Auditor announces audits of Schuyler and Sullivan counties are underway
State Auditor Nicole Galloway said her office has begun regularly scheduled audits of Schuyler County and Sullivan County, both located in northern Missouri. Schuyler County received an overall rating of “good” in its most recent audit, issued in June 2015. The most recent audit of Sullivan County was completed in December 2016, with the county receiving an […]
Abortion fight continues on Missouri Medicaid provider taxes
An attempt to renew a law essential to financing Missouri’s Medicaid program drew fire late Monday from a state Senator who wants to bar Planned Parenthood from participating in the program and an anti-abortion group seeking to block access to contraceptives. A renewal of the taxes that provide more than $2 billion annually for Medicaid was added […]
More than $350 billion in federal recovery cash starts rolling out to states, cities, counties
(Missouri Independent) – States, cities, and counties can begin to tap their share of the $350 billion in federal funds intended to spur a national recovery from the economic toll of the COVID-19 pandemic, White House officials announced Monday. Missouri will receive $2.7 billion in federal funding, with another $2.5 billion in direct aid for counties […]
Missouri State Fair officials announce first four concerts at State Fair Grandstand
The Missouri State Fair is excited to announce the first four concerts for the 2021 State Fair Grandstand presented by CFM Insurance. Trace Adkins will open the 2021 grandstand concert series on Opening Day, Thursday, Aug 12. Adkins has sold more than 11 million albums and charted more than 20 singles, including “You’re Gonna Miss This,” which won […]
Furious lawmakers demand answers from Missouri DSS for undercount of abuse reports
(Missouri Independent) – Lawmakers slammed the Department of Social Services on Thursday for underreporting the number of substantiated cases of abuse and neglect at youth residential facilities during a previous legislative hearing. For nearly an hour-and-a-half on Thursday, the House Special Committee on Government Oversight pressed DSS officials on why the number of findings of […]
Chillicothe Chamber of Commerce announces 36th Annual Chautauqua in the Park
The 36th Annual Chautauqua in the Park will be held September 11-12, 2021, at Simpson Park in Chillicothe, Missouri. This annual event, sponsored by the Chillicothe Area Chamber of Commerce and the Chillicothe Area Arts Council, and presented by Hedrick Medical Center, has a wide variety of entertainment, activities, artists, crafts, and food. Vendor registration […]
City of Parma, Missouri making progress on state auditors recommendations after $115,000 discovered misappropriated
A report from State Auditor Nicole Galloway says progress is being made in the city of Parma after an audit last year discovered more than $115,000 was misappropriated through payroll overpayments and improper payments and purchases. The audit, which also found that meeting minutes and financial reports were falsified to conceal the misappropriations, led to criminal charges against […]
Governor Parson’s office releases names of those pardoned on Friday
On Friday, April 30, Governor Mike Parson granted 13 pardons and approved one commutation pursuant to Article IV, Section 7 of the Constitution of the State of Missouri. Official pardon documents have been filed with the appropriate government agencies and are being sent to the individuals. Pardons: Donald Halpin David Cruzan Patricia Riefle Richard McKinney […]
Missouri State Auditor begins audit of Ralls County government
State Auditor Nicole Galloway said today her office has begun a regularly scheduled audit of Ralls County, located in northeast Missouri. The county received an overall rating of “fair” from the most recent state audit issued in November 2015. “Audits can help local officials take steps to make government more efficient and effective for taxpayers,” Auditor […]
Jon Schreffler retires as farm manager of the Thompson Research Center
The Thompson Research Center advisory committee, along with University of Missouri faculty and administrators, recently celebrated the retirement of Jon Schreffler, farm manager and employee of Thompson, for 43 years. The celebration took place during the spring meeting of the advisory committee, which took place in mid-April. The committee also toured the new commodity barn […]
Governor Parson grants 13 pardons, commutes one sentence
Governor Mike Parson, on Friday, granted 13 pardons and approved one commutation pursuant to Article IV, Section 7 of the Constitution of the State of Missouri. Official pardon documents have been filed with the appropriate government agencies and are being sent to the individuals. In the interest of privacy, the Governor’s Office will not immediately […]
Audio: Missouri House gives initial approval to working animal legislation
Legislation that prohibits cities and counties from banning working animals has received initial approval from the Missouri House, on a voice vote. Sedalia State Representative Brad Pollitt says it’s improper for political subdivisions to regulate an industry out of business. The bill is backed by Missouri Farm Bureau and by Cape Girardeau’s Lazy […]
Trenton City Council presented reports on 17th Street Bridge, work at airport and water plant basins
Construction work is progressing on the new 17th Street Bridge in Trenton. City Administrator Ron Urton told the city council that the bridge deck (or flooring was poured on Monday night). The retaining wall at the west end is what Urton called about 75-percent complete. Work will then involve placing fill for the roadway at both […]
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services: “Missouri vaccinators to resume use of Johnson & Johnson vaccine”
Missouri COVID-19 vaccinators will resume use of the Johnson & Johnson/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine. This decision was made following the announcement by the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that it has studied and confirmed that the pause on its use can be lifted. It was concluded that the known […]
Grundy County’s Public Administrator sworn in; Item added to the agenda for Grundy County Commission
Grundy County’s Public Administrator officially began duties today (Monday) following a swearing-in ceremony at the courthouse. Adria Moore of Trenton was appointed to the position following the resignation of the previous public administrator Jill Eaton. Associate Circuit Court Judge Steve Hudson handled the swearing-in event. Mrs. Moore will serve Grundy County as the Public Administrator […]
USDA invests $35 million in rural water, energy, and biofuel infrastructure in Missouri
U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Missouri Acting State Director D Clark Thomas announced the agency is investing $35,046,000 in critical infrastructure that will help rural Missouri communities build back better and stronger while prioritizing climate-smart solutions and environmental stewardship. USDA is making the investments under the Water and Environmental Program, the Rural Energy for […]
Grain Belt transmission line forges ahead amid landowner, lawmaker pushback
(Missouri Independent) – On the heels of a historic cold snap that left thousands across the Midwest without power, Kansas and Missouri residents could soon reap the benefits of a massive high-powered transmission line delivering renewable energy. Grain Belt Express, a project a decade in the making, is starting to acquire land along its route spanning […]
Panel recommends Missouri House expel Republican accused of sexually abusing his children
(Missouri Independent) – The Missouri House Ethics Committee voted unanimously on Monday to recommend Rep. Rick Roeber be expelled from the Legislature. The committee, made up of five Republicans and five Democrats, said evidence obtained over the course of its four-month investigation confirmed Roeber had sexually abused two of his children in 1990 when they […]